This is a project aiming to create a Free / Open Source Software, (A)GPL-licensed software implementations for the GSM/3GPP protocol stacks and network elements, preferably as pure software implementations running on general-purpose computers. All our software is available in source code form, to anyone.

This is very contrary to classic telecom vendors, where every network element is implemented as proprietary hardware and software, without the ability to understand or modify them, and where each and every feature is subject to license fees.

We had originally started with an A-bis (plus BSC/MSC/HLR) implementation for experimentation and research purpose (now called OpenBSC, but have since moved way beyond that and implemented many other interfaces and network elements of GSM, GPRS, EDGE and UMTS/HSPA networks.

While previous installations mostly used OsmoNITB from the OpenBSC project as a monolithic core development has now shifted to individual projects performing the different tasks that were previously united inside the OsmoNITB, such as:

OsmoMSC - a GSM/UMTS Mobile Switching Center with support for AoIP as well as IuCS. SCCPlite support is work in progress

OsmoBSC - a GSM Base Station Controller with support for many different BTS vendors and models attached via Abis (over E1 and IP).

This is more in line with the way a traditional GSM network is operated.

The actual radio interface of such a network can be provided by classic GSM BTS equipment from classic Vendors like Siemens, Nokia, Ericsson, ip.access. However, a variety of more modern BTS options are available, based on our OsmoBTS software using hardware from sysmocom (sysmoBTS), Fairwaves (UmTRX) or Ettus (USRP)

In addition, the Osmocom project also develops and maintains the OsmoPCU, OsmoSGSN and OsmoGGSN programs for adding GPRS and EDGE capabilities.

Most recently, there is a project for adding 3G (UMTS, HSPA) support. Specifically, this is adding Iu-CS and Iu-PS support to OsmoMSC and OsmoSGSN, as well as a new OsmoHNBGW to offer an Iuh interface towards hNodeBs (femtocells, small cells)

We are always looking for HardwareDonations of any kind of 2G / 3G / LTE related carrier equipment.

There is also work on creating SS7 / SIGTRAN / TCAP / MAP protocol stacks, both in the Erlang programming language as well as in Smalltalk.

There are many other side projects like the SIMtrace protocol tracer/sniffer for (U)SIM APDUs.